Canal lock



Nov.19,1935. J.L.ADAMs.JR

CANAL LOCK Filed Dec. 2, 193s s sheets-sheet `5 [NI/TOR.

Nov. 19, 1935.

a7 az sa J. L. ADAMS, JR

CANAL LOCK Filed Dec. 2, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Nov. 19, 1935.

J. L. ADAMS, JR

CANAL LOCK Filed Dec. 2, 1933 1N VEN TOR.

Nov. 19, 1935. I 'J L, ADAMS, JR 2,021,345

CANAL LOCK Filed Dec. 2, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 M5 J 'Ii WAMI g L l INVNTOR.

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Nov. 19, 1935. J. L, ADAMS, JR 2,021,345

CANAL Loox Filed Deo. 2, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 1 Y '3f Il;

' 1N VEN TOR.

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Nov. 19, 1935. J. L. ADAMS. JR 2,021,345

' CANAL LOCK Filed Deo. 2, 1935 8 sheets-sheet 8 INVENTOR lil v Il l ll/ l( Il W A vnl .IV I kw ---i Patented Nov. 19, 1935 UNHTED STATE Parser' orties 9 Claims.

The present invention relates broadly to the art of canal navigation, and more particularly to the design and operation of high-economy, highlift locks adapted to greatly cut the total number of steps required in lifting vessels over the customary summit levels, common to mos.; cross-- country canals, and canalized rivers. My invention is also designed to very greatly cut the time of lockage, and the annual cost of lock operation, as compared with locks of usual type.

Three-of the important objectsof my invention are comprised in the saving in total number of levels required, in the total time consumed in lockages, and in the total annual cost involved, as just above enumerated.

An additional important object is to greatly reduce the total initial cost of canalisation, by a general cut in the total number of massive locks required for the complete canal system between termini, with a concomitant reduction of the total amount of operating equipment involved in each through lockage.

A further very important object is to minimize the total number of heavy concrete structures which may in future have to be altered or removed, in case it is ever decided to increase the width and overall length, as Well as the depth over the mitre-sills of the locks, in order to accommodate heavier vessels.

This change has been-met with very often in the past experience with canals, in fact often every two or three decades during the life of the channel.

Another object of prime importance is to so limit the total water requirements of my ultrahigh lift lock, as to greatly simplify the Water supply problem, and leave the surplus usually required for lockage, to be used for Water-power purposes, the income from which will materially reduce the operation outlay for the canal proper, or even give a noteworthy net income per annum from the same.

An added object of equal importance is to provide a high-lift lock which can be utilized to advantage with a long mono-level canal, or one with a very restricted slope in one direction, but in which the entire course at substantially one and the same elevation above sea-level, with the exception of such slope, amounting to but a few feet total.

An essential object is to provide a lock with a practicable type of lift which is commercially operable at heights far beyond those normally attained heretofore.

Such high-lift greatly facilitates the utiliza-- tion of the Water-power available, since highhead turbines of equal power are usually much cheaper to install than those of relatively low heads, and if a total high lift is split up into tivo or more stages along a canal,'these Will generally be scattered a considerable distance apart, necessitating a multiplicity of small power-houses instead of one large one, if the power available is to be utilized fully, this again greatly increasing the total installation and operating costs, in comparison with a system such as my invention permits.

Yet ano-ther object in providing a type of lock which will in general permit the use of a monolevel canal, is that such canal can usually take its Water-supply from a considerably greater percentage of the surrounding drainage area than most multi-level canals, between the same termini, since the maximum summit level of the former is quite generally lower, and a canal in which the summit level goes dry is not of very much use over the remainder of its course.

Furthermore, in the case of a mono-level canal, the run-oli from excess rainfall occurring at any section can be promptly delivered to any other sector which may have been less favored by precipitation during the dry months. This is not usually possible With a multiple level canal, and if pumpage is ever required to tide over an ultra low Water spell, the installation and operation thereof is vastly simpler in the case of a monolevel canal, or canalized river, which my invention permits, and becomes excessively costly in the case of a many-stage canal.

Its summit level being in general lo-Wer, the r mono-level canal will usually have less total upand-down lockage than the customary multilevel channel, this constituting another important object in the application of my invention.

Other objects of value will be obvious to anyone skilled in the arts of lock design and of canal operation.

With all of the above and other objects in mind, I have provided a type of lock and described a mode of operation which Will for the nrst time simultaneously attain all of`these benefits, and have shown preferred and alternative constructions thereof on the appended drawings, it being understood that these embodiments are purely illustrative, and not limiting in nature, and that reasonable modifications in the structures shown, and in their mode of operation, may be made without departing from the true spirit of my invention, or the scope of my broader claims.

ln the drawings, Figure l is a vertical transverse section through one form of my complete twin-lock, and valve system, of the oscillation type, for ultra-high lifts, but with part of the long Water-inertia tube omitted.

Figure-2 shows a diierent disposition of substantially the same lock and valve elements, also in transverse section, but designed to get the twinlocks substantially side by side,` instead of Well separated, and is taken on line II-II, of Figure 3,

which latter is a plan view of the side-by-side lock arrangement.

Figure 4 is a transverse section similar to Figure 2, showing the same twin-lock elements as before, but somewhat more compacted vertically, and taken as per line IKL-IV, Figure 5.

Figure 5 shows the plan view of this arrangement, simplified by showing only the interior lock walls, as where a solid rock cut can be made.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the lock arrangement of Figure 5, with rock removed.

Figure 7 is an end elevation thereof, taken on line VII- V11 of Figure 5, and looking in the direction of the arrows, so that canal lower level is in section. The lock structure is here assumed semitransparent, so as to show water-levels developed, at the end of one oscillation of the liquid.

Figures 8 and 9 are gasket details, shown much enlarged over previous figures, for one of the swinging-type under-water gates used at the lower water-level only, the former figure being taken on line VIII-VIII of Figure 5, looking with the arrows, and showing a single rubber gasket ring, while Figure 9 shows a plural gasket, as the preferred construction.

Figure 10 shows a plan view of one of the vertically running roller-type side guy-posts, with its track in section, also much enlarged over previous lock figures, and taken -on the line X-X of Figure 6, looking with the arrows.

Figure l1 illustrates my alternative and simplified form cf oscillating lock system, of the single lock-chamber type, and in transverse vertical section, for ready comparison with the twin-lock system shown in Figures 1 and 2, or 4, and also shows a section through my preferred form of substantially balanced main-valve of the streamline flow type, equipped with buoyancy chambers to relieve the weight on bearings, and a driving means adapted to give a precise 45 degree throw.

The valves of Figures 1 and 11 are shown in connection with the present invention as being necessary elements to complete the disclosure, but have been claimed in my separate and copending valve application, Serial #701,456, led December 8th, 1933, to which reference may be made for further details and types of construction.

In all the figures of the present application, the same parts are designated by identical part numbers, but with the twin locks separately identified.

In Figures 1, 2, 4, '7, and 11, the lock water-levels shown are those at the end of one complete swing, or oscillation, of the long water-column concerned.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 1, twin high-lift locks have been shown at I and 2, although my invention is not necessarily restricted to locks of the high-lift type. The two lock-chambers are shown inter-connected at the bottom by the long water-channel 3, 4, of very much reduced an-d substantially circular section, provided throughout with easy hydraulic bends, and connected with the lock-chambers proper I and 2, by the long Venturi sections 5 and G, respectively, which will be brought out to better advantage on succeeding figures.

The horizontal portion of channel 3, 4, is preferably made of very considerable length, in order to accentuate the total inertia effect of the moving mass of enclosed water, the added length being indicated by break lines, in order to accommodate the figure to the length limitations of a patent drawing.

Somewhere near the middle of this horizontal section, is interposed the large diameter valveshell i, carrying either single or multiple heavy rubber gasket-rings 8 and 9, around the inside at right and left valving positions, respectively.

An internally cross-ribbed, hollow metal ballvalve I9, -designed to displace almost its precise weight of water, is adapted to easily roll across the 5 valve-shell l', upon the metal tracks H, spaced somewhat to each side of centre-line of the ball, under the urge of one or the other of the hollow cap I2 or I3, mounted with a very slight amount of freedom upon the ends of the two hollow and 10 substantially floating hydraulic pistons or rams i4 and I5, respectively, and guided by the suitably spaced bushings IS and l, respectively carried by the thin radial wing mountings I 8 and I9, attached at a plurality of points around each bushl5 ing and connected to the enclosure wall, here shown as slightly swelled outward in order to provide the same cross-section of water-channel as elsewhere.

Rams I4 and I5 operate through the multiple- 20 gasket glands 2i? and 2 I, being functioned by the long hydraulic cylinders 22 and 23, respectively, each of which is closed by a high-pressure head as shown at 24, through which passes the pressure 4operating pipe 25, shown at right-hand side 25 only.

Valve-shell 'I is closed at top by the removable cap 25, suitably gasketed at 2l, and held by the usual ring of bolts, as shown. This cap is previded with suitable lifting holes, whereby it may 30 be raised by crane cr otherwise, when necessary, thru the lined well 28, after removal of cover 29, at surface level, (which may be anywhere between 28a and 28h) in order to provide working access to the interior of valve-shell l, for occasional in- 35 spection, or for maintenance purposes, and after drawing off the contained water by suitable drainage or pumping equipment, (not shown).

If the locks under consideration are to provide for a lift of from to 260 feet or over, it will 40 usually be found impractical to make the side Walls in contact with the earth or seamed stone layers perfectly vertical, because of the tendency of .such materials to drift inward upon the lock chamber, when the latter is empty, and I have 45 therefore shown somewhat sloped side walls 30, 3 l, as my preferred construction, these being arched horizontally, as shown to better advantage on the later Figure 3, and provided with suitably spaced partitions extending to the inner lock-wall, as will 50 be gone into more fully later on.

In the present figure, (Fig. l), the water shown at its maximum height position in the left-hand lock-chamber I, and at its lower level 33 in the right-hand lock 2.

The right hand lock section 2 shown is looking longitudinally toward the upper level gates of customary mitre type, which may extend down to level35, just below canal bottom elevation, if leek is at a canal terminus, or to level 35, if the lock is 60 at an outlet of a reservoir, which may then be drawn down until boats of the maximum draft allowed reach anywhere between the levels 35 and 36, according to the amount cf contained storage water which may be present, at any given time. The heavy shafts by which the mitre gates may be operated, are shown at 3l, 38, 39, and fifi, but the operating bull-wheels and their drives are not shown, as being of customary construction. 70

Referring now to Figure 2, no new parts requiring identification appear, the only change from preceding general arrangementr yof parts being the disposition of the long horizontal elements of water channel in a closed curve, instead of a 75 straight line, in order to make a more compactv total assembly.

Figure 3 shows to better advantage the general plan of this closed curve, the central valve portion being, however, deleted on account of sheet limitations, although its form may be derived from the outline shown in Figure 2.

In Figure 3, besides parts previously listed, in-

cluding the straight-walled lock-chambers l and 2, and the curved exterior sloping walls 36, and 3l, there are found the vertical reinforced concrete partition walls l l, eli, previously spoken of; while the upper level of canal, or reservoir, is

n maintained in the approaches 43, 44; the under earth portions of lock-ends are shown dotted at IE6, 46, below the mitre-gates 34 and 34, respectively shown in the open and the. closed positions, as functioned by the bull-wheels and connectingrod mechanisms il and 48; and at opposite, or low-level end of lock, there is noted the swinging type lock-gate Q9, shown in closed position, against inside, end-wall of lock-chamber, with its mate 50 open. and drawn back into appropriate recess l, in side-wall of lock, suitable motion being provided by the rotatable shafts 52, 53, driven through a determined angle by the properly powered bull-wheels 513, 55, to selectively advance the gates 49, 5), against or away from the massive elliptical vessel openings 56, 51, provided with suitable heavy rubber gasket-rings around their contacting perimeter, as shown to better advantage in the later Figure 9.

Extending above these gates 49, 56, to top of the ground, are the massive, hollow re-enforced concrete lock-ends 56, 59, structurally more or less similar to the lock side walls 36, 3|, and their partitions lll, 42, previously noted.

The emergent low-level canal entrances to locks, will usually be underground, through a short tunnel section 6G, or 6l, emerging nally from under cover and narrowing down to the canal proper 62, as shown at left, in Figure 3.

Note that the swinging-gates 49, 56 are highly ribbed, either on o-ne or both faces, in order to stand the tremendous total hydraulic pressures encountered, and that the Venturi sections 5 and 6 of connecting water-channel, although in reality of very gradual convergence, are shown much fore-shortened in the plan view of Figure 3.

Figure 4 shows a vertically compacted type of the same general structure as Figure 2, and such as may sometimes be necessitated by the geologic conditions met with. But in order to carry the now over-hanging rock on outer side of each lock, this form involves the interposition of mid-length rock or concrete piers 63, 64, preferably reen'forced with heavy metal tips 65, 65a, where f the partition wall becomes too narrow to support much weight with safety, as better illustrated in v Figures 5 and 6, in which the easy convergence of the Venturi sections 5, 5A, 6 and 6A, is also to be noted.

In certain cases where the rock in which the lock-chambers are to be excavated, is sufficiently massive and non-seamed, or where the total lift is to be moderate, it may be possible to cut the lock-walls down substantially vertical-ly, with or without the addition of a suitable facing layer thereafter, and Figure 5 shows such a simplified construction, although the wall type of Figure 3 may be applied here also. l

In Figure 5 I have also shown a plurality of longitudinally spaced, but vertically travelling, oating guy-posts 66, 66a, adapted to follow the variations of water-level in the respective locks I and 2, and maintain taut the suitable heavy, eyeended hawsers (not shown), thrown over a post thereon, and leading to the respective power capstans fore and aft, on the vessel being locked thru. These roller guy-posts are carried within 5,.

the vertical recessed portions 6l, 61a, of the lockchambers of Figure 5, and would in reality be present also in Figure 3, altho not shown there.

In Figure 6, a portion of wall 3l and its corresponding side-wall of lock-chamber 2, as well as some of the partitions 42, (if present), have been shown as cut away, in order to indicate the positio-ning of one of above roller-mounted guy-posts, 66a.

Figure 6 also shows the arched-over sections 68 15 and 68a of the Venturi elements 6 and 6a, and the elliptical over-all shape of the open swinginggate 50 is given in dotted outline.

In Figure 7 I have shown one swinging-gate lig as closed against the interior water-column extending up to level 32, and the other, 56, as open to permit entrance or egress of shipping.

Figure 8 illustrates at 69 a large, solid-rubber gasket ring, or one of other suitable operating materiali, which on closing of the swinging-gate 49, is adapted to bear against the machined face of an inserted or otherwise renewable seal-ring 10, fitted to the machined face of lock end-wall casting 1l, or its operative equivalent. y

Figure 9 shows a modied or alternative form 30 of water-seal, in which the joint is made by a plurality of gasket rings, as here shown at 69 and 12 ,Y respectively.

In Figure 9 the metal machined-ring 13, around the vessel opening 56, is shown as a simplified construction, without insert parts. In either Figure 8 or Figure 9, it is intended that the respective metal elements shall finally come into firm contact as the water-pressure is augmented to its full value, with the now flattened rubber elements interposed between the metal parts.

In Figure 10, an enlarged View of one of the travelling guy-posts 66, 66a, is shown, looking down from above, and indicating the heavy frame "M, carrying the substantial flanged-rolls 'l5 and 45k "i6, and the non-flanged roll ll, `also of heavy construction, constituting a group of three, which may be repeated further down in the structure, as desired, with each roll carried on suitable heavy anti-friction bearings i8, supported by the heavy pin-shafts '49, mounted in frame 14, which also carries, projecting upward therefrom, the strong stud-post or spool Se, over which the suitably spliced-in eye-end of a flexible hawser 8! of appropriate strength, may be thrown from a vessel entering the lock, and later drawn up taut by the usual power capstan located on deck thereof, in some such direction of pull as indicated by the adjacent arrow. Frame M consists of upper and lower elements, between which the substantial, hollow metallic float S2 is placed, capable of readily oating the entire structure, so that post 86 is kept at a convenient height above the water, for ready accessibility thereto, the whole running freely over the track 83 of ultra-strong section, 65 v solidly bolted at 66 to the thickened-up channel section 85, of the recessed portions 6l, 67a, of the lock side-walls, as rst mentioned under Figure 5. Roller 'il is located below the frame 14, and is therefore shown in dotted outline, while post 80 70 usual dirt-seals for the bearings (not shown). J

In Figure ll, besides parts already designated by number, I have shown the long-horn-shaped Venturi bell-end 8l, venting directly into the large pond 8f3, of considerable water-storage capacity, whose upper surface level fluctuates more or less above and below the mid-height level 89, of the water oscillation between the top and bottom levels 32 and 33, respectively, in lockchamber 2.

The break lines across Figure ll indicate the interposition of a long length of either straight or curved and substantially constant diameter tube 3 between these limit lines, to give the requisite value of water inertia, to slow up the oscillation to point desired.

As this tube is smooth surfaced and of very large diameter, the loss of head due to friction in the inserted section is found tobe very small indeed.

A substantially balanced, Ll-degree-throw main valve, of stream-line flow type is shown at 9i?, and is adapted to quick operation at precise ends of water swing.

This is functioned by the suitably controlled propelling means Sl, operating the connecting rod 92 of massive construction, by and through the iSO-degree motion geared crank-disc 93, and in turn functioning the 45 degree-throw longer crank-arm Sil, directly connected to valve-rotor Sii, by the heavy shaft S5, whereby the ports 96, (one of which is shown in dotted outline, and two in longitudinal section), are controlled, around the rim of each of which is the heavy solid-rubber gasket Sl, or a plurality thereof, more or less similar to those shown in Figures 8 and 9, while closed float chambers are indicated at eil and adapted to take substantially all the rotor weight 01T of the large diameter rollerbearings, or ball-bearings le@ and |01, preferably made of stainless, or other rust-proof alloy steel, and suitably provided with the usual dust or dirt seals, (not shown). Shaft 95 is coarsely threaded at EQ2, in my preferred construction, and mounted in the similarly threaded bushing m3, which has both insi-de and outside threads, with one of just slightly different pitch than the other, so that when appropriately propelled by the driving means 94, under suitable control, a small amount of end adjustment of shaft 95, and with it the valve-rotor 95, is provided, for tightness settings, to compensate for wear.

It will be noted that the throw of the valve takes place through the screw thread 102, so that the tightness of seal is relieved the moment the valve starts to open, thus enormously cutting down the wear on the sealing elements.

In fact, if so desired, the valve may be completely closed withouticontacting the gasket elements 9i at all, and then the latter brought up under pressure by the adjustment driving means le@ only, reversing this process for opening Vof valve, so as to then bring the wear to an ultraminimum. The cone angle of rotor 9G has been materially exaggerated in the figure, to better bring out the adjustment features, but in reality this angle will preferably be very slight, in ord-e1 that the valve may operate under more nearly balanced hydrostatic conditions, in addition to its floating balance, as above noted. For a Valve of the bulk herein contemplated, it is believed that all these points are essential to successful operation.

As shown, the valve is of the four-port, fully- `balanced type, of full stream-line flow pattern,r

adapted to the handling of tremendous volumes of water per second.

For further details, my co-pending Valve application, just mentioned, may be consulted.

In all the lock figures above mentioned, the 5 solid water-flow arrows indicate a just completed oscillation, or flow, while the motion next to follow is indicated by a broken-line arrow.

All the figures are to be taken as illustrative only, an-d not as limiting the scope of my inven- 10 tion to the delineated structures.

In general it may be noted that the venturi decrease in area through sections 5 and 6 may be 10:1 or more, between the locks proper and the cross-connecting inertia-tube or channel 3, 4, of l5 Figure l.

This means that the water velocities in this long horizontal inertia-tube will be about l0 or more times the rate of rise or fall of the waterlevel in each lock,I and the kinetic energy of mo- 2O tion about 100 times that of an equivalent mass of water in the lock-chamber proper, so that substantially all of the temporary storage of energy occurs in the horizontal tube, this, for say a 1GO foot lift, being of somewhat more than the 25 length shown in Figure 5, or roughly 2500 feet; or say 2000 feet in the case of a 50 foot lift, as typical examples.

It is evident that the long, substantially horizontal elements of the total water circuit add 30 greatly to the inertia of the moving Water column, and therefore to the time-period of each complete swing or oscillation, without adding in the slightest degree to the head available to produce such swing. 35

This retarding effect is utilized to prevent a too rapid change in water-level in the locks proper, even at the maximum velocity attained in each swing.

As substantially all the energy storage occurs in the horizontal or near horizontal elements of tube, care must be exercised that this is .not made too short, otherwise it will be incapable of storing the amount of energy required to complete each oscillation without a rise in velocities within the tube to the point where these approach jet velocities due to the maximum head utilized. Such conditions would tend to prohibit completion of each oscillation without excessive loss of head occurring, which is precisely not the condition desired, since the nearer each completed swing can be made to attain to the initial difference of level, the more efficient will the process be, and the less will be the amount of make-up water required at the end of each such swing, or oscillation.

If all bends be made of the easy, hydraulic type, and all necessary obstructions such as valves made of full stream-line flow pattern, with easy curvatures, and the Venturi elements 5, 6, made with very gradual slope angles, then the application of the customary Kutters formula, with usual coeilcients of tube friction in the very large diameter tubes concerned, indicates possible total losses of head during each complete swing, of about 1/2 to 3X1 foot for a 5o lift, according to the particular tube design selected, or 2 to 3 feet, for say a 100 foot lift, or in other wor-ds, a very modest amount of make-up water per swing, considering the height of lift. For a 200 foot lift, the `loss may attain from 6 to 9 feet total.

In the usual Kutter formula, I have used a value for n, the roughness factor, of .014 in order to be safe.

For a lock system about as indicated in Figure 5, with each lock-chamber say 600' by 60', on 1004 lift, the period of one complete doubleoscillation works out at about to 110 seconds, or again according to the design selected, say 40 to 55 seconds per single swing or oscillation involved in one lockage,

The maximum velocity of fall attained within the lock at mid-swing is about 3 to 4 per second, and the mean velocity about 2 to 2.55 feet per second, here, or well within the safe allowable limits attainable without injury to shipping involved.

In this connection, it is to be especially noted that the start and the finish of each single swing, or oscillation, is made with the utmost deliberation, as the lock enclosed portion of the total water-column departs from, or approaches its position of rest, so that the modest mid-swing velocities attained are of no detrimental eifect whatever.

With the description and comments so far given, it is believed that the general mode of operation of apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 10, inclusive, will be self -evident to anyone skilled in the art to which my invention appertains, without further elaborate description. But to meet the requirements of the statutes, a brief summation of the operation will be given. Take Figurel 1, for eX- ample, in which the lower gates in the respective locks are on the level of the water indicated by 33, of lock 2, but on the opposite longitudinal end of locks from that shown by the section here given, We will start with the assumption that all gates are closed, and that the lower valve III in shell a, is in the position shown, having just previously been closed in this direction, at the precise end of preceding oscillation of the entire water-column, now lying between positions 32 and 33, shown.

The lower gate 53, of lock 2, (as may be SeenV in Figure 3), may now be opened, along with upper gates of lock I, (one of which is indicated by 34 in Figure 3), for the egress, or ingress, or both, of shipping, and thereafter again closed. On now quickly moving the hydraulic plungers Ill, I5, toward the left, and to their mid-throw position only, by releasing water from cylinder 22, and applying pressure through pipe 25, to cylinder 23 at the `same time, valve III is brought to centre of shell I, pushing plunger I4 lightly before it. At this mid-point, the flow through pipe 25, and the similar outlet pipe to cylinder 22, is stopped for a brief period, thus preventing over-running of the ball valv-e IG, which has now been brought to its full open position, allowing the swing of water-column to the right lock 2 to commence, attain a maximum velocity, and then iinally slow up again to zero just before the levels 32 and 33 have become completely reversed, the valve Ill being started on to the left just before this is accomplished, so as to reach the left-hand gasket 9 precis-ely at the end of the swing, thus stopping all further water flow again. All contained shipping having now been transferred to opposite vertical level from that at which`it entered, the respective gates may be again opened, and egress made to the appropriate canal channels, connected therewith. In connection with this last mentioned opening of gates, which now concerns gate d, of lock I, (as shown in Figure 3), and gate 34 of either Figure 1, or Figure 3, it will be noted that the iinal end-ofswing levels of the water in both locks are not quite the same as the levels 32 and 33 initially started with in the respectively opposite locks, so that the new level in lock I will be just above that of lower canal 62, or tunnel 60, of Figure 3, (identical with 33 of Figure l, as to height), While the end-of-swing level in lock 2 will be 5 found` to be just below that of the upper canal inlet Ill of Figure 3, (identical with the level 32 of lock I, in Figure 1). This means that on the opening of gates 43, of lock I, and 34, of lock 2, some influx of the higher level canal water will 10 occur at the latter, and some egress into canal 62 and tunnel (it will occur at the former, to equalize the water levels. The effect is the gradual transference of water from the upper to the lower canal levels, but the amount of this equal- 15 ization head for locks of say 50 foot lift, will be around 1/2 to 1%, foot, which represents the total amount of make-up water required per single oscillation of the water, with transference of load occurring concomitantly in both locks, if de- 20 sired. Note that the make-up water is added here at the end of each individual swing or oscillation.

As constrasted with this, the customary locks waste of the water put into them, for each 25 up-and-down lockage, and it is this difference in total water requirement, which my locks permit the application of to water-power purposes, at a satisfactory head, and which constitutes a major advantage of my method of operation. 30 Hydraulic-plunger elevator means have been devised in the past, to accomplish a similar water economy, but the advantages of simplicity of mechanism, and especially of safety to the load being carried, are all with the system I have 35 outlined above. The entire load is carried on the continuous water-column, extending clear from 32 to 33 of Figure l, and the worst that can happen would be for a valve to break, or to stick in the full-open position, in which case 40 the oscillation simply repeats itself until it dies down gradually from the friction encountered, but all without possible injury to anything. Not so, however, with any great hydraulic cylinderand-plunger lift mechanism, of a size consistent 45 with the tremendous tonnages to be carried, and where a cylinder break may precipitate the whole load to the bottom of the lock, and a bad valve break ditto.

Reverting now to the single-lock oscillating 50 system of Figure 11, and remembering that the break lines shown to right of the Venturi bellend 8l, represent a long length of the tube 3, to give the requisite inertia to the moving watercolumn extending from pool 83, at entrance of 55 the Venturi bell-end 8l, to the water surface level in the lock, and here shown as at 33, the operation of my lock will be described, starting with the levels shown. In this Figure 11, the swing or flow of the water out of the lock 2, from 60 initial upper level 32, down and to the left throughV 6, il, the valve S3, and tube 3, into pond 83, as represented by the .solid arrows, is just being completed, so that valve 9B is on the verge of closing, shutting off its ports 96. Thereafter 55 the vessel-opening 5l may be opened up, by swinging back the gate 53, (as shown in Figure 3), and egress provided for any contained shipping into the lower canal level (such as that of 62 in Figure 3, through the tunnel section 6I of that figure). On opening gate 53, some water will usually flow out into this lower canal, to equalize the inner and outer levels, and for a lock of say 50 foot lift, this may amount to from l to 1%.; feet of head, which is lost. 75

If any new shipping is to enter, this is now brought in, after which gate 5D is closed, and the quick-acting, multi-port valve 953 opened, producing a surge of water from pond 88 to the right, thru the very long tube 3, valve 90, tube ll, Venturi section 6, and into lock 2, as per the dotted arrows. This flow continues to be accelerated, but at a constantly decreasing rate, until the lev-els in and out of the lock have equalized, this occurring at about the level 89 in the lock, if pond 38 is of relatively very large area. The inertia of the long and rapidly moving watercolurnn now carries the lock water level up beyond 39, but with constantly increasing deceleration, because of the increasing dilference in water levels inside vand out. Just before the level 32 is attained, the water inside lock comes to rest, completing its swing, and the valve S is suddenly closed at this point. On now opening the upper lock gates 34, for egress of the just lifted shipping, some water will enter the lock chamber from the outside 32 level, about l to 11A), feet of head being equalized, for a lock of the 50 foot lift type. On the next oscillation downward thru the lock, this water will be allowed to waste, before outlined, so that it represents the amount of make-up water used p-er double lockage or double oscillation, down and up, in this alternative form of my lock system. This is equivalent to 1/2 to 3%; foot per single swing. But note that here the make-up water must be on every alternate swing only. If more water is available at about the pond 88 level, then at the upper level 32, as often occurs in connection with summit sections of canals this pond may be carried a few feet higher than level 89 shown, so that the upper limit of swing of the water in lock will attain fully to the 32 level, and no water enter here on the opening of gates 34. But on its downward swing, the interior water level will now not drop so closely as before to the lower canal level 33, so that a head -of 2 to 3 feet .per double swing, or twice the amount before mentioned, will be lost to the outgoing canal when equalization of levels occurs. This is equivalent to 1 to 11@ feet per single swing. It will be found that this loss is continuously made up on every alternate swing only, and from the pond 88, so that it now becomes the source of supply for lock operation. It might have been noted, in connection with Figure 1, that the lined accessibility-well 28 may usually extend upward only to the lower lock-level 33, that is, to about the line 28h, instead of 28a, as before mentioned. Or each type of water-valve may be so designed that it can be dismantled in sections, and taken out directly thru the watertube 3, or thus cancelling any necessity for the well 28, and the valve cap 26 shown. This cap, if used, may be provided with cross-ribs on under side, at about the line shown in Figure l, to just clear the ball-valve, so as to provide additional horizontal guides therefor, or an upper track similar to that shown at l, below. All depressed pockets in valves and so forth would, of course, be provided with sand or mud drains, suitably .piped to a blow-off point, or a pump provided therefor, and to waste,

Note that if the locks of Figure 1, for example, are provided with somewhat deeper upper-level gates 35, instead of the normal height 35, then such locks may be placed at the outlet of a storage-reservoir or lake, and will automatically accommodate themselves .to changes in the water-supply level in said reservoir, without any additional complications being developed, or any disturbance of the lower terminal level of swing or oscillation. This is a very important advantage of my locks.

In the form shown in Figure ll, which is a 5 one-legged or single-lock type of construction, it ,may be urged that the water can not rise at any time higher than the level shown for the left hand pond 88, which is the level 83 in the lock. But this is the rest position, without any l0 oscillation being present, just as the low-point in its -swing is the rest `position for any usual pendulum, while any oscillation, once induced, is always to substantially equal amounts about this rest position, that is, on each side of it. In the 1'5 lock case under present discussion, the oscillation may be easily started by having the lock empty initially, or by later on draining it empty, if ever required. It has been heretofore noted that some wastage will occur each time the swinging-gate at opening 5l is opened up to permit egress or entrance of shipping, and it will be noted that this drop by wastage accentuates the head between the now lowered end-of-swing level and the normal mid-swing level 8d, above, 25 thus vgiving added impetus to the next swing or oscillation to follow, as fed by the pool 88.

The Venturi bell shown at 8i in this figure, will ordinarily be elliptical in cross-section, with the greater axis horizontal, under the pooi surface. The motor-drives for valve operation may be at surface level, preferably, and appropriately connected to valve thru long connecting rods, or shaft, as required.

In all my figures, I have shown locks in which the entrance occurs at one end, and the exit at the other, but in some cases both may be required at one and the same end, the lower emergence then being through a somewhat longer tunnel 6G, or il i than shown in Figure 3. 40

1f twin-locks as in Figure 3 must be built within an earth fill, instead of in solid roch or masonry, then for very high lifts, a considerably wider spacing between lock centre-lines must be provided than is shown, since the mass between locks is not sufficiently rigid to withstand the total hydraulic pressures developed.

Many reasons lead to the conclusion that the lock system of Figure 1l will usually be much the cheaper in construction, and since the lock- '50 age is made so quickly, as compared with preceding types of locks in general, the tonnage capacity of even the single lock will normally 'ce far greater than can be utilized to the full, anyway, so that this type will be in general indicated, for most projects.

It will be noted that the valves of Figures 1 and 11 both provide good stream-line flow conditions at full-open position, with no restriction of cross-section here, but that the preferred Figure 1l construction provides more definitely for quickopening and closing to precisely open and shut positions, with precision timing, and hence with less loss of head due to wire-drawing, and to faulty timing, both of which are important. The multiple ports of Figure 11 also assist materially in the quick-opening feature. .'Ihe valve .of Figure 1 would probably show the longer life,

since the entire steel ball surface may wear away before renewal becomes necessary here, but this valve is much harder to open-up under pressure of the full head developed, necessitating hydraulic tain very definite advantages accrue from the very high lifts which can be taken at one jump, thereby often reducing the total number of locks required to an ultimate minimum, together with the number of crews necessitated for their operation, while the great water economy made possible by the above, materially simplifies the water supply problem, especially where a mono-- level canal and resultant water-power development becomes possible as a result of the installation of the locks in question.

I claim:

l. In an oscillation type canal-lock system, a lock-chamber, a Venturi tube section connecting said lock-chamber with a very long water-inertia tube of greatly reduced area compared with the horizontal cross-section of said lock-chamber, a quick-acting and substantially stream-line-flow valve located operatively in said long tube, a Venturi tube-section interposed between the remaining end of said long tube and a large water receiving container, all together constituting a systeni of controllable free oscillation for the water contained therein, between upper and lower lock entrance gates in said lock-chamber.

2. In an oscillation type canal lock system, a lock-chamber, a fluid-storage basin external thereto, a long fluid-inertia channel, a substantially stream-line-flow valve interposed at a convenient point in said channel to control the fluid flow therein, two Venturi bell sections, one connected to each end of said long channel by the small end of the bell in each case, with the large ends thereof connected to base of said lockchamber, and to an under-surface position in said basin, one to each, respectively, power operating means for said valve, and a source of continued supply of operating fluid for said system.

3. In an oscillation type canal lock system, a lock-chamber, upper and lo-wer entrance gates connected thereto, an auxiliary huid-storage reservoir of large surface area and located at an elevation about midway between the upper and lower working levels of said system, a very longr huid-inertia channel, two Venturi bells, connected by their small ends one to each end of said channel, and by their large ends one to the base of said lock-chamber, and the other to an under-surface point in said reservoir, respectively, and a power-operable valve interposed in said channel at a convenient point therealong.

4. In an oscillation type canal lock system, a lock-chamber, upper and lower entrance gates connected thereto, an auxiliary fluid-storage reservoir of large surface area located at an elevation about midway between the upper and lower working levels of said system, a very long fiuid-inertia channel, a power operable valve interposed at a convenient point in said channel, two Venturi bells connected by their small ends to the respective ends of said channel, one to each thereof, and by their large ends, one to said lock-chamber and one to said reservoir, respectively, a source of supply of operating fluid connected with said upper working level of said system, via said lock-chamber and said upper gate, and an outlet for waste fluid, which outlet is connected with the said lower gate, and available to take off the fluid comprising the frictional loss-of-head in each oscillation.

5. In an oscillation type canal lock system, a lock-chamber, upper and lower entrance gates connecting therewith, an auxiliary fluid containing means located outside said lock-chamber, a

very long duid-inertia channel, a power operable valve interposed in said channel at a convenient point therealong, and two Venturi bells, one connected small-end-to to each end of said channel, respectively, with the large ends thereof connecting to said lock-chamber, and to said fluid containing means, respectively, said lock-charnber including V shaped hollow side walls containing a plurality of spaced compression members.

6. In an oscillation type canal lock system, a lock-chamber, upper and lower entrance gates connecting therewith, an auxiliary fluid-containing means located outside said lock-chamber, a very long fluid-inertia channel, a power operable valve interposed in said channel at a convenient point therealong, and two Venturi bells, one .connected by its small end to each end of said channel, respectively, with the respective large ends thereof connected to said lock-chamber, and to said fluid-containing means, said Venturi bells being of the multiple channel type, to pro-vide improved flow distribution and better support of the enormous weight of superjacent material encountered.

'7. In an oscillation type canal lock system, a

' lock-chamber, an auxiliary fluid-container located away from said lock-chamber, a very long fluid inertia tube interconnecting said lock-chamber and said fluid-container, said tube being provided with Venturi end-bells, one at each end thereof, and forming the connection with said lock-chamber and said fluid-container, respectively, and a Valve inserted in said tube to control the flow of working fluid therethrough, said lockchamber being characterized by sidewalls of V section, in which the inner portion of the V is substantially vertical, and the outer portion lnclined outward from end to end of said lockcham-ber, to better absorb the earth thrusts encountered and lower the cost of construction.

8. In an oscillation type canal lock system, a lock-chamber, an auxiliary fluid-receiving container located away from said lock-chamber, a very long huid-inertia tube disposed between said lock-chamber and said container, two Venturi bells, one being connected small-end-to to each end of said tube, respectively, with the large end of one connected into the lower portion of said lock-chamber, and the large end of the other entering the said container, and a power-operable valve in said tube to control the otherwise free oscillatory flow of working fluid therein, said lock-chamber being characterized by longitudinal side-walls of V section, with the inner portion.

substantially vertical, and the outer portion inclined, and at the same time bowed outward in a horizontal plane running from end-to-end of said lock-chamber.

9. In an oscillation type canal lock system, a lock chamber, an upper gate and a lower gate each providing entrance thereinto, connecting waterways leading up to the outside of each said gate, a Venturi bell connected large-end-to into the bottom of said lock, a long inertia tube attached to the small end of the said Venturi bell, a fluid control valve connected in said inertia tube, a second Venturi bell connected small-endto to the outer end of the said inertia tube, a fluid receiver connected to the large end of the latter Venturi bell, and a variable surface storage reservoir connected directly to the waterway leading up to the outside of one of the said gates.

JAMES L. ADAMS, JR. 

